Growing up one of the best things to do on the weekend was to go to Toys’R’Us. I remember pulling on my dad’s hand to the aisle where all the Barbies and Barbie’s accessories were kept. I remember looking at each one and saying, “I want her. And her. And her. Please Daddy, can I get this one?" While the answer was almost always “no,” I always got some Barbie-related present for my birthday or for Christmas.
The two most vivid gifts I remember include the Barbie Victorian Dream House with all the furniture in pink and purple from 2000 that my parents got me, and a Barbie set of like 12 different outfits from my Grandpa. To this day, all of my Barbie dolls, the clothes, the house, and any other accessory, are downstairs in the basement in the area that is the designated playroom for my youngest sister.
Many people today are saying that Barbie dolls lower a girl’s self-esteem because she’s super thin and her features do not represent all women. While I see their point, Barbie was such an integral part of my childhood. Why? Because of the slogan: “You can be anything.” Barbie has been a doctor, a scientist, a student, a police officer, and business owner, she’s even the president. Encouraging young girls to aspire to be whatever they want to be when they grow up is the reason why Barbie exists.
Just recently, Mattel, the company that produces and sells Barbie dolls, announced a new line called, “Inspiring Women,” just in time for International Women’s Day. These women will be part of the “Sheros” line.These dolls are celebrating women who have made history, including Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, American Mathematician Katherine Johnson, American female aviator Amelia Earhart, USA Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Kim, and many more.
The first three women will available soon in stores, whereas the other “Sheros” will be used for display only. Honestly though, while popular “Shero” dolls like Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas have been sold in stores at some point, I think they should make all the “Shero” dolls available in stores. Girls all over would be able to own dolls that look like them.
While release dates have yet to be announced, Mattel has stated that Earhart, Kahlo, and Johnson will all have a little note in their packaging that gives information about the role model.
While Amelia Earhart is a wonderful choice as one of the three “Inspiring Women” collection, I am seriously here for the two women of color. Frida Kahlo is a renowned artist not just known for her work, but for her political activism and her support of feminism. Katherine Johnson, who many people have just become familiar with from the movie “Hidden Figures,” is an African-American mathematician who contributed to the application of digital electronic computers at NASA. Having these women of color, especially Katherine Johnson, is helping break down the barrier women of color cannot amount to anything of importance.
These women of color will inspire young girls of color to see that they are important and that they can do whatever they want and be whoever they want.
“You can be anything,” is absolutely true, and Barbie is empowering young girls to take charge of their lives and aspire to be great and to make their mark in the world.
